The Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest, has been has automatically checking containers for radiation since 2001. National governments and shipping industry experts are unclear on what constitutes a dangerous level of radiation.
As the concerns mount over radiation leaking from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, governments around the globe have announced various steps to monitor or screen ships and aircraft arriving from the quake-stricken country.
Adding to the confusion is the difficulty of getting a clear picture of exactly what approach the customs, security, health or port authorities in various countries and cities are taking, what radiation levels they consider abnormal and what steps officials might take if unusual levels are detected.
“We know some places are screening for radioactivity,” said Arthur Bowring, managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, one of the largest associations of its kind.
“But often, we don’t know what exactly they are screening, and what levels of radioactivity would be considered abnormal by the various officials.”
Measures announced so far vary widely, and they often lack detail about what is considered safe or abnormal, industry experts say.